2013 Briefing Book - Print Version - Aipac

ISRAEL AT RISK
What Congress Has Done to Counter Terrorism
Condemned Terrorism and Backed Israel’s Right to Self-Defense. In resolutions, letters
and floor statements, members of Congress have been steadfast against terrorism.
Congress recognizes that the United States and Israel have been prime targets for
terrorist attacks. Congress is the only body in the world to repeatedly support Israel’s
right to self-defense. Congress understands that just as America would respond to
attacks on its soil, Israel has the right to act in defense of its territory and its citizens
when necessary.
Targeted Terrorist Financing. Congress has taken steps to prevent and combat the
flow of financial contributions to terrorist entities such as Hizballah and Hamas.
Legislation, including the USA PATRIOT Act in 2001 and the Antiterrorism and
Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, has successfully prevented the United States
from becoming a center for terrorist fundraising. These laws have been used to
prosecute Americans for providing funds to terrorist organizations while offering
legal and financial recourse to victims of terrorism.
Sanctioned State Sponsors of Terrorism. In 1979, Congress passed the Export
Administration Act, which requires the secretary of state to determine whether a
country supports acts of international terrorism. Today, countries designated as state
sponsors of terrorism—such as Iran and Syria—are subject to numerous restrictions
on trade and financial transactions with the United States, bans on military and dualuse
exports, and prohibitions on U.S. foreign assistance.
Under these designations, Congress has issued and expanded sanctions against
Iran and Syria for their continuous support of terrorism. Congress passed the
Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act (2003) and the
Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act (2010) as
efforts to dissuade Iran and Syria’s harmful activities.
Urged the Designation of Terrorist Entities. Congress has pressed the executive branch
to properly designate established terrorist organizations, their subsidiaries and partner
entities. Congressional persistence led to the designation of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary
Guard Corps and Hizballah’s television station Al-Manar as terrorist entities.
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